All Hardshells consider Elder Wilson Thompson to be one of the founding fathers of their denomination. This has always been surprising to me seeing he held some very strange views. He would not be accepted into their fellowship were he to appear today. However, Wilson's eldest son, Grigg, was also a first generation leader of the "Primitive" or "Old School" Baptists, preaching extensively among them in the important decades of the 1830s through the 1850s. He was the one generally called upon to defend the new Hardshell denomination in public debate on the issues involved in the separation. His published sermons and other writings are generally looked highly favorably upon by Hardshells since his day. I have cited from his writings many times over the years and have used them to show how far removed today's Pbs are from their original moorings.
In talking about "regeneration" Grigg Thompson wrote (emphasis mine):
"It is not a mere change of conduct, but a change of state and condition, they that were once darkness are now light in the Lord; Eph., v, 8; they that were dead in sin are now quickened with Christ; Eph., ii, 5. The soul that was filled with despair and felt that he was under the wrath of God, and that his sins must forever separate him from his God, sees the thick cloud removed, the Sun of righteousness shines upon his soul, and God comforts him; Isa., xil, 1. You that have felt this change, will never forget "that day," that happy day, "when Jesus took your guilt away," and filled your soul with hope and love. It was the day of your espousal when the mutual pledges of love were given, and without a doubt or fear you could say, "My beloved is mine, and I am his;" Songs, ii, 16."
Can you not see, my Hardshell brothers, how this description of "regeneration" is far removed from how it is described by you all today? Isn't Thompson's description of regeneration more like conversion? It certainly is contrary to the view of Elder Sarrels and his "systematic theology" of Hardshell doctrine. To Sarrels, a person who is "regenerated" has learned nothing. It is all "below the level of consciousness." The truth is, the first generation of Hardshells did not believe a man was "born again," or made a new creature in Christ, until he was converted and made a conscious believer in Jesus.
Does regeneration make one sad or happy? It seems clear that Grigg believed that it made one happy. I have written on this previously. See Does Regeneration Make Sinners Happy? (here)
Thompson continued:
"Whatever have been the trials, afflictions, doubts, and fears, you have passed through since "that day," you still look back to and date your spiritual existence from that time. Paul never forgot the day when he traveled towards Damascus, and the light shone around him, and by the power of God's grace and Spirit, he was changed from a persecutor to a servant and friend of Jesus. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;" in regeneration the affections of his soul are changed so that he loves the things he once hated. His conscience was dead, seared as, with a hot iron, hard and without feeling, full of guilt and condemnation, but is now made alive, is purged, is tender, watchful, and full of peace; Heb.. ix, 14. His will was rebellious, inflexible, and opposed to God, but is now obedient to the will of the Lord; Ps., ex, 3. His desires were once carnal, sensual, and pursued the vanities of the world, but now delight in God; Isa., xxvi, 8. His love was fixed upon earthly objects, was carnal and fleshly, now it is swallowed up in the infinite excellencies of God and of Christ; Ps., cxix, 97. The joys and delights of the soul were once in the trifles and vanities of this world, now its rejoicing is in Christ Jesus; Phil., iii, 3. His cares and his fears were once about worldly things, now he loves, fears, and reverences God; Acts, ix, 31. Once sin was his delight, now it is the object of his dread; II-Cor., 7, 11. Once his expectations raised no higher than this world, and were of the world, but now from above; Heb. vi, 19. And look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are not seen; II Cor., iv, 18. Once they yielded their members servants to uncleanness and iniquity, but now to righteousness and holiness; Rom. vi, 19. The change is a great one and those who have experienced it may well be called new creatures, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; Eph., ii, 10." (From "The Primitive Preacher," and section titled "A New Creature," by Elder Grigg Thompson)
Is that not clear?
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